Our History
The Queensland LGBTQIA+ Alliance was born from a bold idea: that we are stronger when we act together.
In 2023, a group of sixteen organisations came together in shared purpose, responding to a call from the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (QC) to co-create a new peak alliance — one that would represent the diverse voices of LGBTQIA+ people of all ages across the state. The Queensland Government had called for a vibrant, visible, and community-led voice, and these organisations — along with three ally organisations (QNews, Queensland Positive People, and Respect Inc.) — stepped forward in solidarity to support a collective application.
While the initial funding submission was not successful, what happened next would define the Alliance more than any tender ever could. Members mobilised. They advocated fiercely and respectfully, challenging a decision-making process that did not honour the standards the government set for itself, to invest in community leadership for social cohesion. Through persistence and unity, the group succeeded in bringing the government back to the table — and ultimately into partnership — to fund the development of the Alliance.
Although the funding remains time-limited, the foundations laid are strong: this Alliance was formed not only to meet a moment, but to shape a future. Together, we believe in a Queensland where LGBTQIA+ communities thrive, led by those who live, love, and work here every day.
One of the truly defining features of this Alliance is our shared commitment to First Nations leadership. From the beginning, members acknowledged the importance of grounding this work in the sovereign knowledges, protocols, and practices of our First Nations peoples, as well as recognising the long-overlooked histories of Australian South Sea Islander communities. Rather than shying away from this responsibility, we stepped toward it — even as the broader political context in Queensland moved away from treaty processes and national conversations rejected the establishment of a Voice to Parliament.
We believe that First Nations ways of knowing, being, and doing — forged in resilience and resistance over 250 years of attempted erasure — offer powerful and enduring guidance for how we govern, collaborate, and care. These are not symbolic acknowledgements. They are the framework through which we choose to work, and we believe our communities will be stronger, safer, and more whole because of it. In this moment, we are not just avoiding harm — we are actively heroing, highlighting, and holding a spotlight to the oldest continuing cultures in the world.
Values Statement with PRIDE at its Core
P - Presence, Participation & Positive Visibility
We celebrate, champion, and promote positive identities and experiences within our Queensland LGBTQIA+ communities and beyond. We recognise the value of embracing one's true self, overcoming adversities, and empowering others to do the same. As an Alliance, we need a presence at the table and genuine participation in any decisions impacting our community,
including educational services, health provisions, social impact, and economic services.
We are committed to a partnership approach that enables our community to co-lead and influence what's best for our communities and to reduce stigma by increasing visibility, actively working to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions.
R - Respect & Rights
We hold respect and rights at the heart of our Alliance. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued. We actively work and commit to holding spaces where lateral violence is managed and accountability is both an individual and collective responsibility. We champion the rights of all individuals, striving to ensure that every person is treated with dignity and respect.
I - Inclusivity, Intersectionality & Invested
Inclusivity and intersectionality are the cornerstones of our work. We acknowledge that our Queensland LGBTQIA+ communities are invested in and directly impacted by the decisions that affect them. Our commitment to inclusion and investment in our communities is unparalleled, with networks, lived experience, and engagement across the State.
D - Dignity, Diversity & Equality
We advocate for the dignity and equality of all, striving to ensure that every person is treated with respect and afforded equal rights. We celebrate, respect, and champion our community's diversity and the value and challenges it brings.
E - Empowerment & Education
Empowerment and education are essential components of our Alliance and its work. We believe that by providing resources, knowledge, capability and support, we can empower individuals to advocate for themselves and others within Queensland LGBTQIA+ communities, because we are strong and know what our communities need to thrive. These principles encapsulate our commitment and connection with our LGBTQIA+ communities and guide our approach in all that we do. They represent our unwavering dedication to fostering a world where everyone can live with pride, dignity, and equality.